Relay box

ABSTRACT

A relay box for securely transporting medications or other items. The relay box includes a main enclosure defining a hollow interior space, and a lockable lid. The lockable lid has a closed position that encloses the hollow interior space and an open position that provides access to the hollow interior space. The relay box further includes a display area and a memory storing a globally unique electronically readable identifier. The relay box may optionally include a battery and wireless communication circuitry. In other implementations, the relay box does not include a battery.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/019,802, filed Feb. 9, 2016 and titled “Relay Box,” the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many industries rely on the accurate inventory and dispensing of secureitems. For example, in a hospital setting, it is of paramount importancethat patients be given the correct medications in the correct doses. Inaddition, it is legally required that controlled substances be securedand accurately tracked, and it is also important that inventories ofmedications and supplies be tracked so that proper business controls canbe implemented.

Various dispensing cabinets and carts have been developed to assist inthe management of medications and other items. However, improvements arestill desired in the reliability of dispensing and tracking of items,especially during transport of items such as medications from onelocation to another within a facility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a relay box for securely transportingmedications or other items comprises a main enclosure defining a hollowinterior space, and a lockable lid. The lockable lid has a closedposition that encloses the hollow interior space and an open positionthat provides access to the hollow interior space. The relay box furthercomprises a display area, and a memory storing a globally uniqueelectronically readable identifier of the relay box. In someembodiments, the relay box further comprises a sensor that can detectunauthorized forced entry to the relay box. In some embodiments, therelay box further comprises a non-volatile electronic display in thedisplay area. In some embodiments, the non-volatile electronic displayis an electrophoretic display. In some embodiments, the lid is at leastpartially transparent or translucent. In some embodiments, the relay boxdoes not include a battery. In some embodiments, the memory is a passivememory readable through external electronic excitation. In someembodiments, the relay box further comprises a latch configured todetect forced entry into the relay box, and power stealing circuitrythat enables reading of the latch when the passive memory is beingexcited. In some embodiments, the relay box further comprises anelectromagnetic actuator externally controllable to lock and unlock thelid of the relay box. In some embodiments, the relay box furthercomprises a removable module that holds all circuitry included in therelay box, and that is locked in the relay box when the lid is locked.In some embodiments, the relay box further comprises a battery, awireless radio transceiver, an electronic controller, and an actuatorcontrolled by the electronic controller, wherein the controller andactuator are configured lock and unlock the lid in response to aninstruction received via the wireless radio transceiver. In someembodiments, the relay box further comprises a charging interfaceconfigured to receive electrical power from an external source andcharge the battery using the received power. In some embodiments, thecharging interface further comprises a first set of electrical contactson one outer surface of the relay box and a second set of electricalcontacts on a second outer surface of the relay box, the first andsecond sets of electrical contacts being positioned such that multiplerelay boxes can be stacked and charged in parallel through theelectrical contacts. In some embodiments, the relay box furthercomprises a temperature sensor, wherein the controller monitors readingsfrom the temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the relay box furthercomprises a mechanical override that enables the lid to be unlockedwithout an instruction received via the wireless radio transceiver. Insome embodiments, the relay box further comprises a mechanical overridesensor that detects when the lid is unlocked using the manual overrideand provides an indication of the mechanical override to the controller.In some embodiments, the wireless radio transceiver is a medium rangewireless radio transceiver having a working range of at least 5 metersbut less than one kilometer. In some embodiments, the relay box furthercomprises at least one photovoltaic cell on an outer surface of therelay box to generate power from light incident on the photovoltaiccell, wherein at least some of the power generated by the photovoltaiccell is used to recharge the battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which embodiments of the inventionmay find utility.

FIG. 2 illustrates a relay box according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates the relay box of FIG. 2 in an open state with its lidraised, providing access to interior of the relay box.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the circuitry inside the relay boxof FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of a checkpoint-controlled relay box in asystem, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 shows the system of FIG. 5 with the addition of a wirelessreading station.

FIG. 7 illustrates a stand-alone relay box, in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of the stand-alone relay box of FIG.7, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of the stand-alone relay box of FIG. 7 in asystem, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a technique for recharging a battery of the relaybox of FIG. 7, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates another technique for recharging a battery of therelay box of FIG. 7, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an environment in which embodiments of the inventionmay find utility. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a hospitalenvironment 100, but it will be recognized that embodiments of theinvention may be used in other environments as well.

In the example hospital environment of FIG. 1, a vault 101 at a centralpharmacy serves as the primary medication storage location. However,various stationary cabinets 102, carts 103, portable cabinets 104, andother storage and dispensing devices may be stationed in different partsof the hospital, for temporary storage of medications and other items.For example, medications commonly used in a particular ward ordepartment of the hospital may be stocked in a cabinet such as cabinet102, for convenient access by floor personnel. In another example,medications expected to be dispensed to patients during a particularshift may be transferred to a dispensing cart 103 that can follow anurse on his or her rounds to the patients in beds 105 a-105 e.

The various dispensing devices 102, 103, 104 may include devices such asthose described in the following commonly owned U.S. patents and patentapplications, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference: U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,394, issued on Aug. 7, 2001 to Lipps,U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,505, issued on May 7, 2002 to Lipps, U.S. Pat. No.6,760,643, issued on Jul. 6, 2004 to Lipps, U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,455,issued on Sep. 8, 1998 to Lipps, U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,047, issued on Aug.19, 2003 to Lipps, U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,456, issued on Sep. 8, 1998 toHigham et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,366, issued on Apr. 28, 1998 toHigham et al., an U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,653, issued on May 18, 1999 toHigham et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,540, issued on Jul. 27, 1999 toGodlewski, U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,467, issued on Mar. 21, 2000 to Holmes,U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,159, issued on Oct. 28, 2003 to Holmes et al., U.S.Pat. No. 6,151,536, issued on Nov. 21, 2000 to Arnold et al., U.S. Pat.No. 5,377,864, issued on Jan. 3, 1995 to Blechl et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,190,185, issued on Mar. 2, 1993 to Blechl, U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,922,issued on Dec. 13, 2005 to Duncan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,024,issued on Aug. 4, 2009 to Duncan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,835,819, issuedon Nov. 16, 2010 to Duncan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,999, issued onJan. 4, 2000 to Holmes, U.S. Pat. No. 7,348,884, issued on Mar. 25, 2008to Higham, U.S. Pat. No. 7,675,421, issued on Mar. 9, 2010 to Higham,U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,929, issued on Jan. 9, 2001 to Wilson et al., U.S.Pat. No. 8,155,786 to Vahlberg et al., issued on Apr. 10, 2012, U.S.Pat. No. 8,073,563 to Vahlberg et al., issued on Dec. 6, 2011, U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0319577 of Vahlberg et al.,published on Dec. 25, 2008, U.S. Pat. No. 8,140,186 to Vahlberg et al.,issued on Mar. 20, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,126,590 to Vahlberg et al.,issued on Feb. 28, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,027,749 to Vahlberg et al.,issued on Sep. 27, 2011, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2008/0319790 of Vahlberg et al., published on Dec. 25, 2008, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2008/0319789 of Vahlberg et al., publishedon Dec. 25, 2008, U.S. Pat. No. 8,131,397 to Vahlberg et al., issued onMar. 6, 2012, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0319579 ofVahlberg et al., published on Dec. 25, 2008, and U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2010/0042437 of Levy et al., published on Feb. 18, 2010.Embodiments of the present invention may incorporate features from thedevices described in these documents, in any workable combination.

A computer system 106 may execute a program for tracking of medicationsand supplies throughout the hospital, and may communicate via electronicnetwork 107 with the various dispensing devices 102, 103, 104, to recordvarious transactions involving medications or supplies. Electronicnetwork 107 may be a wired network, a wireless network, or may have bothwired and wireless portions. Any suitable networking technology orcombination of technologies may be used, for example WiFi™, Bluetooth™,Ethernet, a cellular data network, or other technologies.

Computer system 106 may be informed when a particular medication isremoved from or returned to one of the dispensing devices. Inparticular, computer system 106 may execute a controlled substancemanagement (CSM) application 108, for particular tracking of legallycontrolled substances. Additional details of systems and methods fortracking supplies, including controlled substances, may be found in U.S.Patent Application Publication Number 2013/0006652 of Vahlberg et al.,published on Jan. 3, 2013, the contents of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

Ideally, medications leave the system in only three ways. In a firstway, medication is administered to a patient. In a second way of leavingthe system, medication may be wasted. For example, if the medication ispackaged in a quantity that exceeds the prescribed dose for a particularpatient, each administration may result in a leftover amount that is notreusable, and must be discarded 109. In another example of waste, a vialmay be dropped and broken, rendering its contents unusable. In a thirdway of leaving the system, medication may be returned to vault 101 fordisposal in a controlled manner 110, for example because the medicationhas reached its expiration date.

However, medications can also leave the system in other ways, forexample due to inadvertent mistake, but also intentionally for illicituse or sale. The illicit removal of controlled substances is known inthe art as diversion.

While prior systems may track the movements of medications and suppliesinto and out of vault 101 and dispensing devices 102, 103, 104, certainother movements may not be tracked by prior systems. For example, apharmacy technician making restocking rounds to dispensing devices 102,103, 104 may be essentially untracked during times when he or she isbetween stops on the restocking route. In another example, a particularmedication from vault 101 may be needed at a particular location, andmay be dispatched by courier or internal mail delivery from the pharmacyto the location where the medication is needed. During the transport ofthe medication from the pharmacy to the point of need, the medication isnot “visible” to computer system 106. These periods of relativeinvisibility may present opportunities for diversion.

According to embodiments of the invention, items are packaged in relayboxes for secure, monitored transport, reducing opportunities fordiversion.

FIG. 2 illustrates a relay box 200 according to some embodiments.Example relay box 200 may be of any suitable size, but may convenientlybe about 10-14 inches wide, about 8-12 inches deep, and about 3-5 incheshigh. The outer shell of relay box 200 is preferably made of a strong,durable material such as steel, aluminum, a reinforced polymer, oranother suitable material, or a combination of materials. A lid 201 canbe opened to provide access to the hollow interior of relay box 200, andis lockable. In some embodiments, lid 201 may be transparent ortranslucent, or include a transparent portion so that the contents ofrelay box 200 may be visible when lid 201 is closed.

While an automated locking mechanism is preferably included, asdescribed in more detail below, a conventional key lock 202 may also bepresent for accessing the interior of relay box 200 in the event of afailure of the automated lock. A display area 203 may indicateinformation about the contents of relay box 200. Display area 203 may beas simple as a printed paper card or label adhered to relay box 200 orinserted into a slot in relay box 200, or may include an electronicdisplay such as an LCD display. In some embodiments, a non-volatileelectronic display may be used, for example an “electronic paper”electrophoretic display of the kind manufactured by E-Ink Corporation ofCambridge, Mass., USA.

FIG. 3 illustrates example relay box 200 in an open state, with lid 201raised, providing access to interior 301 of relay box 200. A module 302may be inserted into slot 303, for example to provide display 304 todisplay area 203. Preferably, any electronic components of relay box 200are isolated in module 302, such that when module 302 is removed, therest of relay box 200 may be cleaned by immersing it in water, orwashing it in a dishwasher or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of the circuitry insidecheckpoint-controlled relay box 200, in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention. In this example, relay box 200 has very littleintelligence, and the location of relay box 200 is recorded usingcheckpoints, as is explained in more detail below. Printed circuit boardassembly (PCBA) 401 includes only rudimentary electronic elements,including for example a near field communication (NFC) tag 402, in whicha globally unique electronically readable identifier of relay box 200 isstored. The identifier may be read from relay box 200 via an NFCinterface, which may excite NFC tag 402 to transmit its storedidentifier, without the need for NFC tag 402 to be powered by any powersource in relay box 200. While the example of FIG. 4 illustrates the useof NFC, other embodiments may use other kinds of wireless interfaces,for example radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth™, oranother kind of interface.

The unique identifier may also be displayed in display area 203, forexample on a simple printed card inserted into display area 203, or on anon-volatile display in display are 203.

PCBA 401 may also include a latch 403 for detecting and recording forcedentry to relay box 200, and power-stealing circuitry 404 for enablingreading of the state of latch 403 when NFC tag 402 is being excited byan external NFC reader. Latch 403 may react to a lid sensor 405, and amechanical override 406 may be provided for authorized opening of relaybox 200.

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of checkpoint-controlled relay box 200 in asystem, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In thisexample, a medication is being dispatched from vault 101 to storagecabinet 102, using relay box 200. A first checkpoint 501 includes a dock502 in which relay box 200 can be placed. Dock 502 may include awireless transceiver for reading the unique identifier within relay box200 and writing information into the NFC tag in relay box 200. Dock 502preferably also includes an electromagnetic actuator for locking andunlocking relay box 200. Dock 502 is also connected to network 107. Inthis example, dock 502 is connected indirectly to network 107 through acomputer 503, but a direct connection is possible as well. While thesame network 107 is shown as being used in the example of FIG. 5 as inFIG. 1, this is not a requirement, and a different network may be usedfor tracking the movements of relay box 200.

In some embodiments, dock 502 and similar docks may include one or morevisual signals such as a light-emitting diode (LED) 508. LED 508 can beused to signal information about the relay box 200 currently docked withdock 502, for example whether relay box 200 is presently locked orunlocked.

FIG. 5 illustrates the transfer of a vial 504 from vault 101 to cabinet102. An operator at checkpoint 501 places vial 504 into relay box 200,and causes dock 502 to lock relay box 200 electromagnetically. Forexample, the operator may enter an indication into computer 503 thatvial 504 has been placed in relay box 200 and relay box 200 should belocked. Dock 502 can then contact computer system 106, for examplethrough computer 503, and receive instructions to lock relay box 200. Inaddition, dock 502 may write information to NFC tag 402 about thecontents of relay box 200. A card may be printed and placed in displayarea 203, providing a human-readable indication of such information asthe contents of relay box 200, the destination to which relay box 200 isto be delivered, the intended user or patient for whom the contents ofrelay box 200 are intended, or other information. In some embodiments, anon-volatile electronic display may be used, and written using awireless interface similar to the interface use to write informationinto the memory of relay box 200.

Relay box 200 is then transported, for example via courier or by anon-site mail service, to checkpoint 505, near cabinet 102. During thetransport, relay box 200 remains locked, unless it is illicitly opened.At checkpoint 505, another operator places relay box 200 onto a seconddock 506, which signals the presence of relay box 200 to computer 507.The second operator may be authenticated by computer 507 as beingauthorized to open relay box 200. Computer 507 then contacts computersystem 106, which sends an instruction that relay box 200 should beunlocked, and computer system 507 then causes dock 506 toelectromagnetically open relay box 200, providing access to vial 504.The operator at second checkpoint 505 can then place vial 504 in cabinet102 by known methods, may provide vial 504 to the floor nurse foradministration to a patient, or may put vial 504 to another intendeduse. Thus, ultimately computer system 106 tracks and controls access tothe various relay boxes, with the assistance of docks and possibly othercomputers at the various checkpoints.

In this example, using checkpoint-controlled relay box 200, security isenhanced by the fact that vial 504 is locked within relay box 200 duringtransport, and relay box 200 can be legitimately opened only byauthorized persons at the various checkpoints 501, 505. In a largehospital setting, a large number of similar checkpoints may be providedat many locations within the hospital, for example at nurses' stations,operating rooms, remote pharmacy stores, and the like. Computer system106, and if necessary CSM 108, can maintain records of the movements ofparticular items by virtue of the events reported by the checkpoints.

At the destination checkpoint 505, computer 507 may also, using dock506, read the contents of forced entry detect latch 403, for signs thatrelay box 200 was forced open during its travel from checkpoint 501 tocheckpoint 505. If evidence of tampering is found, further investigationmay be warranted. Similarly, the system may record the fact that relaybox 200 is en route to checkpoint 505 and an expected time of arrival.If relay box 200 is not checked in at checkpoint 505 at or near theexpected time, investigation may be warranted.

Thus, the system may prevent, hinder, or detect certain instances ofdiversion.

However, the system described above, using checkpoint-controlled relayboxes, may not provide visibility to the locations of items in transit,between the times that relay boxes are registered at the variouscheckpoints. In some embodiments, additional wireless readers may bepositioned around the facility to provide some intermediate informationabout the locations of relay boxes. For example, FIG. 6 shows the systemof FIG. 5 with the addition of a wireless reading station 601 in adoorway 602 through which relay box 200 is transported on its way fromcheckpoint 501 to checkpoint 505. Doorway 602 (not shown to scale inFIG. 6) may be, for example, a doorway between two wings or wards of ahospital, or any other doorway or portal through which relay boxes maybe expected to pass. Of course, reading stations such as reading station601 may be placed at other locations as well, and not only in doorways.Reading station 601 may continually scan for relay boxes passing nearit, and report the identifiers of any detected relay boxes to computersystem 106. Thus, intermittent additional information may be obtainedabout the whereabouts of the relay boxes and their contents. The variousreading stations can report the passage of particular relay boxes.

While relay box 200 is described above as being a passive device withoutinternal power, a small battery may be provided for the purpose ofpowering intrusion detection circuitry. Preferably, information exchangeat checkpoints and reading stations is passive, excited byelectromagnetic signals from each checkpoint or reading station. Allrecorded detections of relay boxes are preferably time stamped, so thatthe location history of each relay box can be reconstructed in as muchdetail as possible.

According to other embodiments, a “stand-alone” relay box may beprovided, as opposed to a “checkpoint-controlled” relay box. In someembodiments, a system may be capable of using a mix of these two types.

FIG. 7 illustrates a stand-alone relay box 700, in accordance withembodiments of the invention. As compared with checkpoint-controlledrelay box 200, stand-alone relay box includes a power source such as oneor more batteries, more sophisticated processing, and additionalcommunications capabilities.

Like relay box 200, relay box 700 includes a main enclosure with alockable lid 701. Module 702 may include batteries (not visible), adisplay 703, and other electronic and mechanical components. Display 703may be any suitable type of display, for example an “electronic paper”electrophoretic display.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of stand-alone relay box 700, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. A printed circuit boardassembly (PCBA) 801 includes a microcontroller 802 that controls thevarious functions of relay box 700, under control of instructions storedin microcontroller 802 or another memory. In other embodiments, amicroprocessor and associated support circuitry may take the place ofmicrocontroller 802. The unique identifier of relay box 700 is stored ina non-volatile memory 803 on PCBA 801. Memory 803 may be a flash memoryor another suitable kind of memory. Stand-alone relay box 700 includes abattery 804 for supplying power to microcontroller 802 and otherelements. For example, battery 804 may be a rechargeable battery such asa nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), nickel-cadmium (NiCad), or anothersuitable kind of rechargeable battery. In other embodiments,non-rechargeable batteries may be used.

When rechargeable batteries are used, relay box 700 may include arecharging interface 805 for supplying power from an external source tobattery 804. For example, charging interface 805 may include pins on theexterior of relay box 700 connected to PCBA 801 for making a directconnection to a power source in a charging station outside of relay box700. In other embodiments, charging interface 805 may include a coil orother antenna for receiving energy via electromagnetic induction from anexternal transmitter.

Stand-alone relay box 700 also includes a wireless radio transceiver 806for wireless communication with other devices, as is explained in moredetail below. Wireless radio transceiver 806 may be any suitable kind ofradio transceiver, for example a Bluetooth™ transceiver, a WiFi™transceiver, or another kind of transceiver. Preferably, wireless radiotransceiver 806 is a medium range wireless transceiver. For example,wireless radio transceiver may have a working range of up to 5 meters,up to 10 meters, up to 100 meters, up to 1000 meters, or anothersuitable range. Specifically, a medium range wireless radio transceiveris not limited to communicating over distances of a few inches or less,as may be the case with NFC devices. Similarly, a medium range wirelesstransceiver is not capable of direct communication over distancesmeasured in multiple kilometers or miles.

Stand-alone relay box 700 has the advantage that docking stations suchas dock 502 are not needed. Relay box 700 may be in direct wirelesscommunication with a computer system such as computer system 106. Anauthorized user may request that relay box 700 be opened, and computersystem 106 may then instruct relay box 700 to unlock itself by actuatinglock 808. Lock 808 may be any suitable kind of lock, for example a lockactuated by a motor powered from battery 804, or a lock actuated by thechange in shape of a memory metal element such as a Nitinol element.

Because relay box 700 includes an on-board power source (battery 804e.g.), stand-alone relay box 700 can perform functions thatcheckpoint-controlled relay box 200 cannot without the help of a dockingstation. Before instructing relay box 700 to open, computer system 106may require some verification that an authorized user is making therequest. For example, the user may be required to scan the uniqueidentifier from relay box 700 and transmit it to computer system 106,along with an identification of the user, to verify that the authorizeduser is actually in possession of relay box 700. The scanning andauthentication may be performed using a cellular telephone or othersimilar portable electronic device that can read the unique identifierand communicate wirelessly with computer system 106. The scanning may beelectronic, for example reading the identifier from memory 803 via NFCor another wireless technique. In other embodiments, the scanning may beoptical. For example, the identifier may be displayed on display 703 inthe form of a barcode, a QR code, or in some other optically readableformat.

Stand-alone relay box 700 may include other features as well. Forexample, display 703 is discussed above. A lid sensor 807 detects forcedentry to relay box 700, which can then report the forced entry tocomputer system 106, possibly immediately. A mechanical key overridesensor 809 may detect when relay box 700 is being opened with amechanical key, and may suppress any determination that the entry is anunauthorized forced entry. Relay box 700 may still report the key entryto computer system 106. A user switch 810, for example a pushbutton oranother kind of switch, may be used for signaling microcontroller 802,and an optional guiding light may be illuminated to guide a user torelay box 700. For example, guiding light 811 may be illuminated upon acommand from computer system 106 to unlock relay box 700, to distinguishrelay box 700 from other similar relay boxes in the area. Or computersystem 106 may cause guiding light to be illuminated when relay box 700reaches its destination.

Other components may be present in some embodiments. For example, asmall battery may be provided as a backup to the larger battery 804, forongoing intrusion detection in the event that battery 804 isinadvertently allowed to discharge completely.

Stand-alone relay box 700 may further include a battery charge levelindicator, for example a set of four lights, the number of which areilluminated indicates the battery charge level. In some embodiments,relay box 700 includes an audible alarm, which may be used for any of anumber of purposes. For example, the audible alarm may be sounded in theevent of an unauthorized intrusion into relay box 700, or in the eventof a suspected theft of relay box 700. Such an audible alarm might alsobe used in locating a particular relay box 700, to indicate a lowbattery charge level, or for other purposes.

In some embodiments, stand-alone relay box 700 may include a temperaturesensor 812, a motion sensor 813, or both. For example, microcontroller802 may monitor the output of temperature sensor 812 and reportexcursions of temperature beyond an expected temperature range.Excursions of temperature may be especially of interest when relay box700 is used to transport medications whose efficacy depends onmaintaining a particular storage temperature. If a temperature outside aspecified range is detected, relay box 700 may report the detection forpossible action by facility personnel. Extremes of temperature may alsobe indicative of diversion of relay box 700 to a location outside itsexpected usage area, for example outdoors. Similarly, microcontroller802 may monitor the output of motion sensor 813 for motion signaturesthat may indicate undesired rough handling, diversion, or other adversecircumstances. Relay box 700 may also report the fact that nodetrimental temperature or motion has been detected, if desired.

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of stand-alone relay box 700 in a system, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. In the example of FIG. 9,a vial 504 of medication is being transferred from vault 101 to storagecabinet 102, in another part of the facility. At the pharmacy, atechnician or pharmacist, after proper authentication, places vial 504in relay box 700. Information about the transfer is communicated tocomputer system 106 via network 107. For example, the date and time atwhich relay box 700 was loaded, the contents of relay box 700, and theintended destination or user of relay box 700 may be transmitted. Otherinformation may be transmitted as well. Computer system 106 thencommands relay box 700 to lock.

Relay box 700 may then be transported to a location at cabinet 102, forexample by courier, site mail services, or the like. Another user atcabinet 102 may verify to computer system 106 that he or she is inpossession of relay box 700, and request that relay box 700 be opened.After authorization is verified, computer system 106 signals relay box700 to unlock itself. Vial 504 can then be removed and placed in cabinet102, or used for anther intended purpose.

No docking stations are needed for locking and unlocking of stand-alonerelay box 700, and transfers of medications to and from relay box 700can be accomplished anywhere within wireless radio range of network 107.Battery 804 should be recharged or replaced regularly, and rechargingstations may be provided at various places within the facility.

In some embodiments, relay box 700 may include a transceiver forinteraction with a real time location system (RTLS). In such a system, anumber of stations are placed in known, fixed locations throughout thefacility, and constantly interact wirelessly with each RTLS-equippedrelay box. The system may use the difference in arrival time of signalsfrom the relay box to the fixed stations to calculate the location ofeach relay box. In such an embodiment, the location of a particularrelay box 700 may be known within a few inches at nearly all times. Insome embodiments, wireless radio 806 may serve as the transceiver forreal time location in addition to its use in communicating with computersystem 106. In other embodiments, a different transceiver may be used,in addition to wireless radio 806. The RTLS transceiver may be anysuitable kind of transceiver, for example a Bluetooth™ or WiFi™transceiver. In some embodiments, the RTLS transceiver may be anultra-wideband transceiver in accordance with IEEE specification802.15.4-2011.

FIG. 10 illustrates one technique for recharging battery 804, inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. In this example, eachrelay box 700 includes a set of metallic pins 1001 that are electricallycoupled to a charging circuit within relay box 700. Each relay box 700also includes a complementary set of recessed receptacles 1002, suchthat a number of relay boxes 700 can be stacked together, with the pins1001 of one relay box 700 coupling with the receptacles 1002 of another.A charging platform 1003 also includes a set of pins 1001, and aconnection 1004 to mains power. Power is conducted from chargingplatform 1003 from one stacked relay box 700 to the next through coupledpins 1001 and receptacles 1002.

FIG. 11 illustrates another option for recharging battery 804, inaccordance with other embodiments of the invention. In the arrangementof FIG. 11, a charging cradle 1101 accepts a number of modules 702 thatare removed from their respective relay boxes 700 and placed on chargingcradle 1101 for charging. Cradle 1101 may make a direct connection tomodules 702, or may charge modules 702 by electromagnetic induction.

In some embodiments, a photovoltaic cell may be placed on a face ofrelay box 700, to generate electric power from incident light. The powermay then be used to charge battery 804, or to at least extend theoperation of relay box 700 from a single charge.

In the claims appended hereto, the term “a” or “an” is intended to mean“one or more.” The term “comprise” and variations thereof such as“comprises” and “comprising,” when preceding the recitation of a step oran element, are intended to mean that the addition of further steps orelements is optional and not excluded. It is to be understood that anyworkable combination of the elements and features disclosed herein isalso considered to be disclosed.

The invention has now been described in detail for the purposes ofclarity and understanding. However, those skilled in the art willappreciate that certain changes and modifications may be practicedwithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A relay box for securely transporting medicationsor other items, the relay box comprising: a main enclosure defining ahollow interior space; a lockable lid having a closed position thatencloses the hollow interior space and an open position that providesaccess to the hollow interior space; a display area; a memory storing aglobally unique electronically readable identifier of the relay box; abattery; a wireless radio transceiver; an electronic controller; anactuator controlled by the electronic controller, wherein the controllerand actuator are configured to lock and unlock the lid in response to aninstruction received via the wireless radio transceiver; and a charginginterface configured to receive electrical power from an external sourceand charge the battery using the received power; wherein the charginginterface further comprises a first set of electrical contacts on oneouter surface of the relay box and a second set of electrical contactson a second outer surface of the relay box, the first and second sets ofelectrical contacts being positioned such that multiple relay boxes canbe stacked and charged in parallel through the electrical contacts.
 2. Arelay box for securely transporting medications or other items, therelay box comprising: a main enclosure defining a hollow interior space;a lockable lid having a closed position that encloses the hollowinterior space and an open position that provides access to the hollowinterior space; a display area; and a memory storing a globally uniqueelectronically readable identifier of the relay box; wherein the relaybox does not include a battery; and wherein the memory is a passivememory readable through external electronic excitation; and wherein therelay box further comprises: a latch configured to detect forced entryinto the relay box; and power stealing circuitry that enables reading ofa state of the latch when the passive memory is being excited.
 3. Arelay box for securely transporting medications or other items, therelay box comprising: a main enclosure defining a hollow interior space;a lockable lid having a closed position that encloses the hollowinterior space and an open position that provides access to the hollowinterior space; a display area; circuitry including a memory, the memorystoring a globally unique electronically readable identifier of therelay box; and a removable module comprising a display, wherein theremovable module holds the circuitry, and is locked in the relay boxwhen the lid is locked; wherein the relay box is transportable.
 4. Therelay box of claim 3, further comprising a sensor that can detectunauthorized forced entry to the relay box.
 5. The relay box of claim 3,wherein the display is a non-volatile electronic display.
 6. The relaybox of claim 5, wherein the non-volatile electronic display is anelectrophoretic display.
 7. The relay box of claim 3, wherein the lid isat least partially transparent or translucent.
 8. The relay box of claim3, wherein the relay box does not include a power source.
 9. The relaybox of claim 8, wherein the memory is a passive memory readable throughexternal electronic excitation.
 10. The relay box of claim 8, furthercomprising an electromagnetic actuator externally controllable to lockand unlock the lid of the relay box.
 11. The relay box of claim 3,further comprising: a battery; a wireless radio transceiver; anelectronic controller; and an actuator controlled by the electroniccontroller, wherein the controller and actuator are configured to lockand unlock the lid in response to an instruction received via thewireless radio transceiver.
 12. The relay box of claim 11, furthercomprising a charging interface configured to receive electrical powerfrom an external source and charge the battery using the received power.13. The relay box of claim 11, further comprising a temperature sensor,wherein the controller monitors readings from the temperature sensor.14. The relay box of claim 11, further comprising a mechanical overridethat enables the lid to be unlocked without an instruction received viathe wireless radio transceiver.
 15. The relay box of claim 14, furthercomprising a mechanical override sensor that detects when the lid isunlocked using the mechanical override and provides an indication of themechanical override to the controller.
 16. The relay box of claim 11,wherein the wireless radio transceiver is a medium range wireless radiotransceiver having a working range of at least 5 meters but less thanone kilometer.
 17. The relay box of claim 11, further comprising atleast one photovoltaic cell on an outer surface of the relay box togenerate power from light incident on the photovoltaic cell, wherein atleast some of the power generated by the photovoltaic cell is used torecharge the battery.